Georgia’s ruling party MP slams foreign ambassadors for direct involvement in partisan activities

Irakli Kirtskhalia, the Deputy Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Monday strongly criticised certain foreign diplomats in Georgia, accusing them of direct involvement in partisan political activities.

Kirtskhalia’s comments came after Gareth Ward, the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to the country, expressed his concern about the deterioration of media freedom in Georgia.

“Unfortunately, they are directly involved in partisan activities. Many have forgotten the convention, forgotten the essence of diplomacy, and forgotten what it means to be a diplomat, to engage in diplomatic activities, and to lead a diplomatic mission in a host country”, Kirtskhalia stated, referring to the conduct of some foreign ambassadors.

“This is a lack of standards, and we have repeatedly said regarding certain ambassadors that they should leave their diplomatic missions, apply for Georgian citizenship, directly join one of the branches of the collective United National Movement [opposition], and participate in the elections, because de facto these people are already doing that”, he concluded.